January 2023 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER 17
EPPS
By JOHN MCLAIN AND SANDY BATTE
Be safe and healthy through more talking and walking
Why is talking to my neighbors important ?
“ In a disaster , your most immediate source of help are the neighbors living around you .” The American Red Cross reminds us : “ Disaster can strike at any time ! Whether a house fire or a 9.0 earthquake , a single disaster can change your physical , emotional and financial health in a matter of seconds . But there are other reasons why knowing the face over the fence is a good idea .
� Neighbors keep an eye on you : Since neighbors live right next to you , they ’ re the best people to watch over your property when you aren ’ t around . Neighbors subconsciously learn your habits and can pick up when something isn ’ t quite right
� There ’ s safety in numbers : If multiple eyes and ears proactively look out for one another , it creates a safer community for all
� Neighbors care about you : It is important to look out for those who are vulnerable , such as those with physical challenges or people who live alone . You ’ ll look out for them , and they ’ ll do the same in return
Charbonneau recently established a community-wide Neighborhood Watch ( NW ) program . Involving community members in watch programs decreases opportunities for criminals to commit crime rather than attempting to change a criminal ’ s behavior or motivation . Today ’ s Neighborhood Watch Program is an effective means of crime control and neighborhood cohesiveness . A cornerstone of NW is knowing your neighbors !
So , knowing the community of people around you can make you feel and be confident and safe . The idea of community brings people together and makes people connected to a larger purpose . TALK TO A NEIGHBOR . STAY SAFE .
Why is walking so important to my health ?
The short answer is that the risk of dementia and heart attacks can be significantly reduced by purposeful walking . Here are some meaningful quotes and summaries I found in reliable internet articles on health .
Your brain benefits from walking : A recent research study of nearly 80,000 people in the U . K . over several years compared actual data from step counters , such as Fitbits , worn by subjects with follow-ups seven years later . “ In this cohort study , a higher number of steps was associated with lower risk of all-cause dementia ,” report the authors . “ The findings suggest that a dose of just under 10,000 steps per day may be optimally associated with a lower risk of dementia . Steps performed at higher intensity resulted in stronger associations .”
� Those who walked 3,800 steps a day had a 25 % lower risk of developing dementia in the study
� Those who walked at least 6,000 steps and who walked reasonably quickly for about half an hour a day had a 62 % lower likelihood of developing dementia
� Those who walked 9,800 steps had a 50 % lower risk
Casually wandering around doesn ’ t get you the full benefit . For maximum advantage , we should try to walk “ purposefully ,” at a rate of “ 112 steps a minute ,” for at least half an hour a day .
Your heart benefits from walking faster : Heart health depends on walking pace . Those who discount walking as a form of exercise do so at their peril . Regular ramblers know how strenuous a bracing walk can be , and studies show that brisk daily walks are life-extending . The operative word , though , is “ brisk .” New research on 25,000 postmenopausal women in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society has found that , when it comes to heart health , walking pace is key .
� Fast-walking women , who exceed 3 miles per hour , had a 34 % lower risk of heart failure than women who potter along at under 2 mph
� Walking less than one hour weekly at a rapid gait was equivalent to more
EPPS / Page 18
Put Your Boots On and Mosey On Over to the Country Club for Country Line Dancing Classes No Partner Needed !
At the Charbonneau Country Club Activity Center Recreation Room
Starting Monday , January 16 at 6:30 pm and will run EVERY OTHER WEEK for 10 weeks .
The cost is only $ 80 for the session or $ 10 for a drop-in class . Call 503-694-2300 to reserve your spot .